China Flexes Lithium Dominance with Plans for Tech-Export Curbs

This will have the same effect in the west the VLSI restrictions have had in China: stimulate industrial development.

Massive amounts of lithium are mined in Australia and Australia has been doing battery chemistry science for many decades: I would be amazed if the materials processing problems here are not tractable without magic.

In order to do this China must now be confident it has secured independent lines of lithium input lest reciprocal barriers are erected on the raw materials. Spodumene miners in Australia might panic a bit, but there will be markets.